infodatos Chapter 238, Section 237: The Secret of Ian's Wand
Chapter 238, Section 237: The Secret of Ian's Wand
Chapter 238, Section 237: The Secret of Ian's Wand
In the memory, the raven's words exploded in Ian's mind like a thunderclap. Within this dreamlike memory, Ian's heart surged with turbulent emotions.
have to say.
The shock this memory brought to Ian was far greater than anything else. His pupils contracted sharply almost instantly.
His heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, and even his breathing became rapid. He subconsciously turned to look at Merlin, trying to find the answer in his expression.
All I saw was...
Merlin's face remained calm, as if this memory had nothing to do with him. But Ian could sense that Merlin's emotions were surging like an undercurrent, almost breaking through the surface calm. The intense emotional fluctuations around him were as rampant as those of inferior wizards, full of flaws.
This was clearly because Merlin was extremely sensitive and experienced a great deal of emotional turmoil at this scene, which is why even he couldn't hide his emotions in front of the young wizard. There was no way around it; perhaps Merlin had taken a step further, but he was definitely not far ahead of any legendary wizard.
If one is not careful, any weakness in one's mind will be detected by a legendary wizard like Ian, not to mention that Ian is a legendary wizard who is a master in this regard.
Almost at the moment he sensed Merlin's emotions, Ian immediately realized that this must be the reason why Merlin had tried to brush him off earlier.
That is the secret Merlin was trying to hide!
They realized this.
Ian felt his throat go dry and couldn't help but swallow. Although he felt he had guessed the answer, the answer was so absurd and surreal that it was beyond his comprehension.
"What does this raven from your memory mean?" Ian finally couldn't help but ask for confirmation. He cautiously looked at Merlin, who was extremely sensitive, beside him.
Merlin's gaze remained fixed on the young Merlin in his memory, as if he hadn't heard Ian's question. After a moment, he turned to the young wizard and spoke slowly.
"It means exactly what you think." He responded very directly, his tone so calm it was unsettling, even giving the young wizard a sense of serene madness.
"This is too much—"
Even Ian couldn't find the words to describe it.
His heart was filled with increasingly turbulent emotions, and a complex feeling that was hard to describe spread through his mind.
Ian felt that if his understanding was correct, the magical raven and the Merlin before him meant that...
There was another Merlin in this world.
There was a Merlin who predated this one, truly favored by fate and destined to become a legendary wizarding king. However, for some unknown reason, that Merlin was killed by Raven, so the Merlin standing before him now was merely a substitute that Raven had created after his death using a "better late than never" approach.
What an outrageous plot!
Ian didn't know why Raven killed the original Merlin, but just looking at this operation of replacing an important character with a substitute, it just made people want to scream.
Think back carefully.
Ian recalled the memories he had just witnessed from Merlin, the daily routine of Raven training Merlin.
He recalled every word Raven had said while training Merlin. He had to admit, those words, upon closer examination now, were truly chilling, yet suddenly seemed much more reasonable in light of this astonishing truth.
Raven's rigorous training of Merlin, his almost harsh demands, and why Raven kept emphasizing, "You are Merlin, you must become Merlin, you must do this and that to bear the weight of the name Merlin," were all because Raven was going to pull off a switcheroo!
Ian could hardly imagine the uproar that would ensue if such a horrifying event were to become known to other wizards in the wizarding world.
Merlin.
This name carries too many legends and glory; it is a myth in the hearts of all wizards, and the secrets and gossip surrounding him...
It's likely that all wizards would flock to investigate it.
The entire magical world will be shaken.
"Raven's actions—they're really a bit inhuman, no, even for a bird, it's a bit outrageous." Even Ian couldn't help but sigh at Raven's behavior.
of course.
Actually, if you calm down and think about it carefully, this matter is not so unacceptable, and it can't even be considered terrible. After all, if the original Merlin is already dead, then how can it be said that his story has been usurped before it even began? All the history that everyone knows was created by the Merlin in front of us.
In this way...
How can we say that this Merlin isn't Merlin? This might be a philosophical question, a bit convoluted, but upon closer examination, at least the legends we all know were created by this Merlin, so he absolutely cannot be considered an imposter. His magic, his achievements, are all things he acquired himself.
The world was not deceived.
Because they knew Merlin's name and his glory, all because of the man before them; the Merlin they knew was the Merlin before them.
"That's way too brain-teasing."
Ian's thoughts were swept into a philosophical vortex.
And at that very moment.
Merlin suddenly spoke softly, his voice tinged with weariness and tension, "This is the question that has plagued me my whole life—have I done a good job as Merlin?"
His gaze was fixed on the young wizard in front of him, as if he had already regarded the young wizard as the raven he once was, and the only one who could tell him the answer to this question.
Ian paused for a moment.
Their eyes met, and she seemed to see the unease and self-doubt deep within Merlin's heart.
Ian could sense that Merlin, who was still maintaining the image of Ririm, seemed to have returned to that age of confusion. The question was not being asked of him, but of the harsh raven.
Be aware of this.
Ian remained silent for a very long time.
The young wizard carefully recalled what he knew about Merlin's history and stories—his legendary deeds, the tales of Merlin and King Arthur, and the man's contributions to the magical world.
A flurry of information flashed by.
Finally, Ian took a deep breath and said seriously, "I don't know what the original Merlin was like, but at least in my opinion, your image in history matches my understanding and imagination of the Wizarding King Merlin."
The little wizard did not choose to lie.
Instead, they gave their own answer based on facts.
After all, Ian knew that Merlin didn't need comfort at this moment, but a real answer. And that was his truest thought about this earth-shattering secret.
"Is that so?"
Merlin's eyes flickered slightly, as if a thin mist had been lifted, and the lingering unease and anxiety that had been hidden deep within seemed to dissipate in an instant, like sunlight piercing through the clouds. The next moment, his expression revealed an unprecedented sense of relief.
It was as if a knot in his heart that had been lingering for years had finally been untied after Ian's words.
"It's fine."
Merlin gave a relieved smile.
That smile carried a hint of relief, as if a long-standing burden had finally been lifted from his heart. Perhaps only by hearing such words from Ian could he truly feel at ease—it was a simple truth, and no one else's opinion could compare to the one who had planted such an obsession in his heart.
"To be honest, you are you, why worry so much?" Ian knew that his words meant a lot to Merlin, so he chose to offer some psychological comfort.
"Because I fell to some kind of setback—so almost every day I think, what if it were another Merlin?"
Another legend, the one who truly belongs in this world, has arrived. Will he accomplish what I couldn't? Will he escape this wretched existence like I am?
Merlin's tone was filled with a complex mix of emotions.
The knot in my heart has been untied.
He naturally began to reveal the pain and confusion he had never mentioned to anyone before.
In this regard.
The little wizard's opinion was also very direct.
"Ha, if Merlin, whom none of us know, were truly more powerful than you, he should be the one still alive. Why would a bird casually mention his tragic end?"
"I don't know what you're hiding from me about your experiences. I only know that you definitely won't tell me even if I ask you. However, I think you should think about it. If it were another so-called Merlin, he probably wouldn't be able to run around Hogwarts like you. He might as well be dead on the spot."
As an observer, Ian naturally had an objective judgment. Putting everything else aside, the fact that Merlin's crotch hadn't been ruined after being pecked by ravens for so long was something he could only admire.
The young wizard's heartfelt analysis truly had a great impact on Merlin—he was jolted awake upon hearing it.
He stood there stunned for a long time before slowly coming back to his senses.
"You're right, why am I not the most powerful Merlin?" Merlin suddenly laughed, exuding confidence, as if he had returned to the legendary wizard.
Before Ian could say anything more, he raised his hand and waved it, and the scenes in his memory began to change rapidly. The cycle of the four seasons flowed quickly before his eyes, the scenery in the forest changing from the tender green of spring to the lushness of summer, then to the golden yellow of autumn and the silvery white of winter, constantly alternating. And in this change of the four seasons...
Merlin, under the spell of memory magic, gradually grows into a tall and handsome young man.
"The mundane daily routine and training don't hide much of the information you want to know. I believe this is the key clue to finding the answer you're looking for." Perhaps out of gratitude to Ian, Merlin skipped the complicated details and presented the information Ian wanted to know.
All I saw was...
Accompanying the stability of memory presentation.
Ian saw that the young Merlin was raising many magical creatures in the forest. At this time, the forest had become a paradise for magical animals.
Merlin strolled through the forest, surrounded by all sorts of magical creatures. A huge unicorn nuzzled Merlin's shoulder affectionately, its snow-white fur shimmering softly in the sunlight, and the golden horn on its forehead exuding a mysterious aura.
"Shy girl, come and give me a hug."
Merlin smiled, gently stroking the unicorn's neck, murmuring incantations as if communicating with it in a whisper. In the distance, a thunderbird swooped down from the sky and landed in front of Merlin, letting out a melodious cry.
Merlin smiled and pulled a large piece of beef from his pocket to feed the Thunderbird. Not far away, several Oolongs were happily rummaging through the grass for something shiny. Their long, flexible noses sniffed the ground incessantly, and once they found their target, they would excitedly dig it out with their little claws.
"Are these all your pet magical animals?"
Ian couldn't help but ask, his tone tinged with surprise.
Merlin nodded, a hint of pride in his expression. "Yes, they are my companions whom I met in the forest. They kept me company through many lonely times."
Ian watched Merlin interact with the magical creatures and couldn't help but marvel. He could sense that Merlin had a very deep affection for these magical creatures.
And the magical creatures also had complete trust in Merlin.
This is comparable to Newt's magical creature affinity. Merlin can even have a real conversation with magical creatures. It can only be said that Raven has indeed found a hexagonal warrior to become the Merlin he was destined to be.
"Where's the raven?"
Ian searched the scene.
The young Merlin walked in the forest for a long time.
He came to a big tree where several hummostries were busy tidying up the leaves, their small and agile bodies moving freely among the branches.
"Come over here, everyone."
When the young Merlin spoke to the Bowtruckles, they stopped what they were doing and gathered around him, looking at him curiously with their small eyes.
"You'll be learning today too." Perhaps influenced by the raven, young Merlin had a penchant for teaching. He picked up a leaf and demonstrated to the Bowtruckles how to weave it into a delicate little nest. The Bowtruckles watched with great interest, chattering as if they were discussing something.
Merlin, who was casting the memory spell beside Ian, looked at the scene in his memory and spoke softly.
"This is the last time I will see you."
He still considered Ian and Raven as the same individual.
All I saw was...
As Merlin's voice faded, a raven flew over from afar, its flight pattern appearing quite strange, though its speed remained fast, it was extremely unstable.
Ian noticed.
At this moment, the raven's eyes had turned the red he knew.
"What's wrong with you?"
In the memory scene, the young Merlin showed surprise as he showed concern for the raven.
"This is the last time we'll come to see you. You'll be free soon. Are you happy?" The raven perched on a branch, its scarlet eyes making the young Merlin feel uneasy.
"Are you going to die?"
Young Meilin looked worried.
The ravens remained silent.
After a while.
"I just ate too much."
It spoke in an unfriendly tone.
Young Merlin immediately began to tremble.
but.
Fortunately, this time the raven did not launch an attack, but instead spoke in a deep voice, its tone serious.
"I have something to entrust to you at the time I mentioned to you, before the final fairy tale begins. Take this feather to the shop I mentioned to you."
Done.
A series of streaks of light flashed across the raven's body, and the colorful light gathered on a feather. With a gentle shake, the shimmering feather drifted into the young Merlin's hand.
"What's attached to this?"
Young Merlin seemed to sense something unusual.
The feathers are beautiful.
But it made him feel palpitations, fear, and trembling.
"You'll figure it out."
The raven didn't answer; instead, it shook its head, its voice weary.
"where are you going?"
Young Merlin changed the subject.
This time, the raven did not refuse to answer.
"I'm going to challenge the impossible."
Done.
The raven flapped its wings and flew away without the slightest hesitation. Merlin was left standing there, holding the shed feather in a daze, while the magical creatures around him had already scattered.
They dared not approach at all; they were all extremely uneasy and fearful.
"What did the raven give you?"
At this moment, Ian couldn't help but curiously approach the young Merlin within the memory magic, but he found that he couldn't grasp the feather in Merlin's memory.
He could touch other things just like he did in Dumbledore's memories.
"Um?"
The young wizard turned to look at Merlin in surprise.
"If I had discovered this sooner when I was younger, I probably wouldn't have accepted your challenge and been tricked by you." Merlin looked at Ian's waist with a touch of emotion.
The little wizard seemed to realize something.
"I see!"
Ian gripped the wand in his hand.
If he's right, the feather the raven gave Merlin might actually be the core of his wand, which would explain why Merlin is more certain that he is the raven than he was a thousand years ago.
And why did Merlin use the Ollivander family's identity?
"Have you figured out what's attached to the feather?" Since it concerned his wand, Ian was naturally curious, and Raven had obviously handed over a feather that was quite unique.
Faced with his question.
Merlin did not play the riddle-maker, but instead spoke slowly and deliberately.
"We all know that the Elder Wand, one of the Deathly Hallows, has always been known as the most powerful wand, but that was before your wand was even created."
He stared at the wand in Ian's hand, his expression filled with emotion.
"Well, I don't think it amplified my power much." Ian had never used the Elder Wand, but after looking at his own wand over and over, he felt that it wasn't as powerful as the legends about the Elder Wand suggested.
"That's only because you haven't reached the level where you can unleash its power yet," Merlin answered, but this answer...
This was clearly somewhat unexpected for the young wizard.
"Even legendary titles aren't enough?"
Ian was greatly surprised.
"Um."
Merlin spoke softly, but with a firm tone.
"You need to go a step further to truly unleash the power of this wand, after all—" He paused for a moment before lowering his voice to speak.
"The gods are in your hands."